Learn Devanagari Script - देवनागरी लिपि

Read Hindi & Write Tamil Names in Devanagari

Welcome to the complete guide for learning Devanagari script (देवनागरी लिपि - Devanāgarī Lipi) - the beautiful writing system used for Hindi and Sanskrit! This guide is specially designed for Tamil speakers who want to read Hindi.

Introduction to Devanagari Script

About Devanagari - देवनागरी के बारे में

Devanagari (देवनागरी - Devanāgarī) is an Indic script belonging to the Brahmic family - the same ancient family as Tamil script!

Script Features:

• Name: Devanagari (देवनागरी) meaning “Script of the Divine City”
• Family: Brahmic/Brahmi - Same ancestor as Tamil (தமிழ் பிராமி - Tamil Brahmi)!
• Type: Abugida (consonant-vowel syllabic script)
• Direction: Left-to-right (→) - Same as Tamil and English!
• Age: Over 1,000 years old (developed ~8th-10th century CE)
• Origin: Brahmi script → Gupta script → Siddham → Devanagari
• Languages: Hindi, Sanskrit, Marathi, Nepali, Konkani
• Character: Horizontal top line (शिरोरेखा - Śirorekha) connects letters

How Devanagari Was Born (தேவநாகரியின் பிறப்பு):

Devanagari evolved from the ancient Brahmi script (same source as Tamil Brahmi!) around the 8th-10th century CE. The Gupta Empire’s script (Gupta Brahmi) split into Northern and Southern branches. The Northern branch became Siddham script, which evolved into Devanagari during medieval times. The distinctive horizontal top line (शिरोरेखा) was added to connect letters and create a unified appearance. By the 11th-12th century, Devanagari became the standard script for Sanskrit and later for Hindi.

Key Similarities with Tamil:

Why Devanagari Is Easy for Tamil Speakers!

Great News - Devanagari is EASIER than Arabic/Urdu because:

✅ Same direction - Left-to-right (no need to reverse your hand!)
✅ Same script family - Both from Brahmi, similar logic
✅ Varga system - Same 5-group organization (க வர்க்கம், ச வர்க்கம் = क वर्ग, च वर्ग)
✅ Vowel marks (Matra) - Just like Tamil உயிர்மெய் system!
✅ Conjuncts - Similar to Tamil கூட்டெழுத்து
✅ Phonetic - Written as pronounced (like Tamil)

Challenges (But Manageable!):

❗ More consonants - 33 vs Tamil’s 18 (includes aspirated letters)
❗ Aspirated sounds - क vs ख (ka vs kha) - Not in Tamil
❗ No inherent ழ், ற், ள் - Some unique Tamil sounds missing
❗ Different shapes - Visual forms look different (but logic is same!)

Understanding Devanagari Structure

How Devanagari Works (Like Tamil!)

Devanagari works exactly like Tamil - it’s an ABUGIDA:

In Tamil:

• Consonant alone (மெய்): க் (k without vowel)
• Consonant + vowel (உயிர்மெய்): க (ka), கா (kā), கி (ki)
• Vowel alone (உயிர்): அ, ஆ, இ…

In Devanagari - SAME CONCEPT:

• Consonant alone (व्यंजन): क् (k without vowel)
• Consonant + vowel (मात्रा): क (ka), का (kā), कि (ki)
• Vowel alone (स्वर): अ, आ, इ…

Example Comparison:

Key Concept: Every Devanagari consonant has inherent ‘a’ (அ) sound - just like Tamil!

Devanagari Vowels (स्वर - Swar)

Independent Vowel Forms (தனி உயிரெழுத்துகள்)

11 Primary Vowels (just like Tamil’s 12!):

Special Vowels:

• ऋ (Ṛ) - Vocalic ‘r’ (Sanskrit only) - No Tamil equivalent
• ॠ (Ṝ) - Long vocalic ‘r’ (rare)

Vowel Signs (Matra - मात्रा) - உயிர்மெய் குறிகள்

When vowels attach to consonants, they change form (just like Tamil!):

Example with consonant क (ka = க):

Important Note: The matra ि (i) comes BEFORE the consonant but is pronounced AFTER!

• Written: कि (matra BEFORE क)
• Pronounced: “ki” (i sound AFTER k)
• Tamil equivalent: கி (straightforward)

Devanagari Consonants (व्यंजन - Vyañjan)

The Varga System (वर्ग - Same as Tamil!)

Devanagari consonants are organized in 5 vargas (வர்க்கம்) - EXACTLY like Tamil:

Each varga has 5 letters:

1. Unvoiced (ஒலிப்பு இல்லாத)
2. Unvoiced aspirated (மூச்சு வெளியீட்டுடன்)
3. Voiced (ஒலிப்புடன்)
4. Voiced aspirated (ஒலிப்பு + மூச்சு)
5. Nasal (மூக்கு ஒலி)

1. Velar (कवर्ग - Ka Varga) - க வர்க்கம்

Pronounced from throat/soft palate (like Tamil க-வர்க்கம்):

Examples:

• कमल (kamal) = Lotus
• खाना (khānā) = Food
• गाना (gānā) = Song
• घर (ghar) = House

2. Palatal (चवर्ग - Cha Varga) - ச வர்க்கம்

Pronounced from palate (like Tamil ச-வர்க்கம்):

Examples:

• चाय (chāy) = Tea
• छात्र (chhātra) = Student
• जल (jal) = Water
• झंडा (jhaṇḍā) = Flag

3. Retroflex (टवर्ग - Ṭa Varga) - ட வர்க்கம்

Pronounced with tongue curled back (like Tamil ட-வர்க்கம்):

Great News: Tamil speakers excel at retroflex sounds! These are EASY for us.

Examples:

• टमाटर (ṭamāṭar) = Tomato
• ठंडा (ṭhaṇḍā) = Cold
• डाल (ḍāl) = Branch
• ढक्कन (ḍhakkan) = Lid

4. Dental (तवर्ग - Ta Varga) - த வர்க்கம்

Pronounced with tongue on teeth (like Tamil த-வர்க்கம்):

Examples:

• ताज (tāj) = Crown
• थाली (thālī) = Plate
• दिन (din) = Day
• धन (dhan) = Wealth

5. Labial (पवर्ग - Pa Varga) - ப வர்க்கம்

Pronounced with lips (like Tamil ப-வர்க்கம்):

Examples:

• पानी (pānī) = Water
• फल (phal) = Fruit
• बाजार (bāzār) = Market
• भात (bhāt) = Rice

Additional Consonants (अन्य व्यंजन)

Semi-vowels (अन्तस्थ - Antastha):

Sibilants (ऊष्म - Ūṣma):

Special Letter:

⚠️ What About Aspiration? (மூச்சு வெளியீடு)

The BIG difference from Tamil:

Tamil has: க், ச், ட், த், ப் (5 unaspirated sounds)
Hindi has: क, ख, ग, घ (4 sounds from one க position!)

What is Aspiration?

Aspiration = Extra breath/air when pronouncing

Try this:

• Hold your hand in front of your mouth
• Say “க” (ka) - Little air hits your hand
• Say “ख” (kha) - LOTS of air hits your hand! (Like க் + ஹ்)

Examples:

Don’t Worry! With practice, you’ll hear the difference. Many North Indians can’t distinguish either! 😊

Writing Tamil Names in Devanagari

Step-by-Step Examples

1. Anand (ஆனந்த்)

1
Tamil:       ஆ + ன் + அ + ந் + த் = ஆனந்த்
2
Devanagari:  आ + न + न् + द = आनन्द
3
Pronunciation: Ā + na + n + d = Ānand
4

5
Devanagari Script: आनन्द

Letter-by-Letter:

• आ (Ā) = ஆ (long ‘ā’)
• न (na) = ன + அ (na - inherent ‘a’)
• न् (n) = ந் (n without vowel - halant or diacritical mark)
• द (da) = த் + அ (da)

Alternative Writing - आनंद (Using Anusvara):

You can also write Anand as आनंद instead of आनन्द!

Two ways:

1. आनन्द = आ + न + न् + द (using halant: न्)
2. आनंद = आ + नं + द (using anusvara: ं)

What’s the difference?

The dot ं (anusvara - अनुस्वार) can replace nasal consonants (ङ्, ञ्, ण्, न्, म्) when they appear before another consonant in the same varga!

Rule:

• नन्द (na + n + da) = नंद (naṃ + da) - Both are correct!
• ं replaces the न् before द

தமிழில்: Similar to how ஆனந்த் has nasal ந் before த் → Hindi simplifies this with ं dot!

Note: In Devanagari, we use halant (्) to remove the inherent ‘a’ - just like Tamil புள்ளி (்)!

2. Raja (ராஜா)

1
Tamil:       ர் + ஆ + ஜ் + ஆ = ராஜா
2
Devanagari:  र + ा + ज + ा = राजा
3
Pronunciation: Ra + ā + ja + ā = Rājā
4

5
Devanagari Script: राजा

Letter-by-Letter:

• र (ra) = ர் + அ (inherent ‘a’)
• ा (ā matra) = ஆ sign
• ज (ja) = ஜ் + அ
• ा (ā matra) = ஆ sign

Result: राजा (Rājā)

3. Sri Renganathan (ஸ்ரீ ரெங்கநாதன்)

1
Part 1 - Sri (ஸ்ரீ):
2
Tamil:       ஸ் + ர் + ஈ = ஸ்ரீ
3
Devanagari:  श्र + ी = श्री
4
Pronunciation: Śrī
5

6
Part 2 - Renganathan (ரெங்கநாதன்):
7
Tamil:       ர் + எ + ங் + க் + ந் + ஆ + த் + ந்
8
Devanagari:  रे + ङ् + ग + ना + थ + न् = रेङ्गनाथन्
9
Pronunciation: Rēṅganāthan
10

11
Full Name: श्री रेङ्गनाथन्

Letter-by-Letter:

• श्र (śra) = ஸ் + ர் (conjunct - combined)
• ी (ī matra) = ஈ
• रे (re) = ர் + எ
• ङ् (ṅ with halant) = ங் (nasal)
• ग (ga) = க் + அ
• ना (nā) = ந் + ஆ
• थ (tha) = த் + அ (aspirated)
• न् (n with halant) = ந் (final n)

4. Priya (பிரியா)

1
Tamil:       ப் + இ + ர் + இ + ய் + ஆ = பிரியா
2
Devanagari:  प्र + ि + या = प्रिया
3
Pronunciation: Priyā
4

5
Devanagari Script: प्रिया

Letter-by-Letter:

• प्र (pra) = ப் + ர் (conjunct)
• ि (i matra - BEFORE!) = இ
• या (yā) = ய் + ஆ

5. Malathi (மாலதி)

1
Tamil:       ம் + ஆ + ல் + அ + த் + இ = மாலதி
2
Devanagari:  मा + ल + ति = मालति
3
Pronunciation: Mālatī
4

5
Devanagari Script: मालति

Letter-by-Letter:

• मा (mā) = ம் + ஆ
• ल (la) = ல் + அ
• ति (ti) = த் + இ

6. Jothi (ஜோதி)

1
Tamil:       ஜ் + ஓ + த் + இ = ஜோதி
2
Devanagari:  जो + ति = जोति
3
Pronunciation: Jōti
4

5
Devanagari Script: जोति

Letter-by-Letter:

• जो (jo) = ஜ் + ஓ
• ति (ti) = த் + இ

7. Aravindh (அரவிந்த்)

1
Tamil:       அ + ர் + அ + வ் + இ + ந் + த் = அரவிந்த்
2
Devanagari:  अ + र + वि + न्द = अरविन्द
3
Pronunciation: Aravind
4

5
Devanagari Script: अरविन्द

Letter-by-Letter:

• अ (a) = அ
• र (ra) = ர் + அ
• वि (vi) = வ் + இ
• न्द (nda) = ந் + த் (conjunct)

Alternative Writing - अरविंद (Using Anusvara):

Just like “Anand,” you can write Aravind as अरविंद instead of अरविन्द!

Two ways:

1. अरविन्द = अ + र + वि + न् + द (using halant: न्)
2. अरविंद = अ + र + विं + द (using anusvara: ं)

The ं (anusvara) replaces न् before द - much simpler to write!

Common in Hindi: Most people write आनंद, अरविंद (with ं) instead of the longer halant version.

More Tamil Names in Devanagari

Special Devanagari Concepts (விசேஷ கருத்துகள்)

1. Anusvara (ं) vs Nasal Consonants

What is Anusvara? (அனுஸ்வார என்றால் என்ன?)

The dot ं (anusvara - अनुस्वार) is a shortcut for writing nasal consonants (ङ्, ञ्, ण्, न्, म्) when they appear before other consonants.

Rule: When a nasal consonant is followed by a consonant from the same varga, you can replace it with ं.

Examples:

Why This Matters:

In modern Hindi writing, ं (anusvara) is preferred over long halant forms. So:

• ✅ Preferred: आनंद, हिंदी, गंगा (with ं)
• ✅ Also correct: आनन्द, हिन्दी, गङ्गा (with halants)

Tamil Comparison: Think of it like shorthand - ஆனந்த் has nasal ந் before த், and Hindi simplifies this pattern with one dot!

2. Chandra Bindu (ँ) - Moon Dot

What is Chandra Bindu? (சந்திர பிந்து என்றால் என்ன?)

The ँ (chandra bindu - चंद्रबिन्दु) means “moon dot” - it looks like a dot with a crescent moon!

Purpose: Indicates nasalization of vowels (not consonants like anusvara).

Nasalized vowel = vowel + nasal sound through nose (like French nasal vowels)

Examples:

Difference Between ं and ँ:

Tamil Connection: Tamil doesn’t have systematic nasal vowels, but some dialects nasalize vowels naturally (like saying “ஆமாம்” with nasal ending).

3. Conjuncts (संयुक्ताक्षर) - Combined Letters

What are Conjuncts? (கூட்டெழுத்து என்றால் என்ன?)

When two or more consonants appear together without vowels, they combine into a conjunct (संयुक्ताक्षर - Saṃyuktākṣar).

Just like Tamil: க் + ஷ் = க்ஷ், ஸ் + ர் = ஸ்ர் (combined letters)

Example 1: प्रिय (Priya) - Why प and र Combine

Question: Why is Priya written प्रिया and not पिरिया?

Answer: Because प् (p) + र् (r) merge into a conjunct: प्र (pra)!

Step-by-step:

1. Start with: प (pa) + रि (ri) + या (yā) = परिया (pariyā) ❌ Wrong!
2. Remove vowel from प: प् (halant removes ‘a’)
3. Add र: प् + र = प्र (combined conjunct)
4. Add vowel ि: प्रि (pri)
5. Add या: प्रिया (priyā) ✅ Correct!

Visual:

1
प्रिया = प् + र + ि + या
2
         ↓
3
       प्र (conjunct) + ि + या = प्रिया

Tamil Equivalent: பிரியா = ப் + ர் + இ + ய் + ஆ (same concept - consonants cluster!)

Example 2: मित्र (Mitra) - The त्र Conjunct

Question: Why is मित्र written with त्र and not तिर?

Answer: Because त् (t) + र् (r) merge into special conjunct: त्र (tra)!

Step-by-step:

1. Break down: मि + त् + र = मित्र
2. त् + र forms त्र (tra conjunct)
3. Final word: मित्र (mitra - friend)

Visual:

1
मित्र = मि + त् + र
2
            ↓
3
          त्र (conjunct)
4

5
मित्र = मि + त्र = मित्र

Note: त्र is one of the most common conjuncts in Hindi/Sanskrit!

Common words with त्र:

• मित्र (mitra) = Friend
• पत्र (patra) = Letter/Leaf
• नेत्र (netra) = Eye
• शास्त्र (śāstra) = Scripture/Science
• त्रिशूल (triśūl) = Trident

Example 3: Common Conjuncts You’ll See

Special Conjuncts (Unique Shapes):

Some conjuncts have completely different shapes:

Tamil Comparison:

Tamil also has conjuncts (கூட்டெழுத்து):

• க்ஷ (kṣa) - க் + ஷ் combined
• ஸ்ரீ (śrī) - ஸ் + ர் + ஈ combined

Same concept, different scripts!

4. The Sacred ॐ (Om/Aum) Symbol

Why is ॐ Written Like This? (ௐ ஏன் இப்படி எழுதப்பட்டுள்ளது?)

ॐ (Om/Aum) is the most sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It’s a special ligature!

Components:

The symbol ॐ is actually a combination of:

1. अ (a) - The first vowel
2. उ (u) - Merged with ‘a’
3. म् (m) - The final nasal sound
4. ँ (chandra bindu) - Nasalization mark

Visual Breakdown:

1
ॐ = अ + उ + म् + ँ
2
    ↓   ↓   ↓   ↓
3
   [All merged into sacred symbol ॐ]
4

5
Sound: A + U + M + nasalization = AUM/OM

Why Not Write अउम्?

Because ॐ is:

1. Sacred symbol - Special reverence (not just a word)
2. Historical ligature - Ancient scribes created this unique form
3. Represents cosmic sound - The primordial vibration of universe
4. Used in mantras - Appears at beginning of prayers/chants

Different Ways to Write Om:

Pronunciation:

• Full: AUM (अ + उ + म्) - Three sounds
• Short: OM (ओम्) - Merged sound
• Nasal: OMṃ (ओं) - With nasal ending

Cultural Significance:

• अ (a) = Creation (Brahma - பிரம்மா)
• उ (u) = Preservation (Vishnu - விஷ்ணு)
• म् (m) = Destruction (Shiva - சிவன்)
• ॐ = Ultimate reality (Brahman - பரப்பிரம்மம்)

Tamil Connection:

Tamil also uses ௐ (same symbol!) in religious contexts:

• ௐ நமசிவாய (Om Namaśivāya)
• ௐ நமோ நாராயணாய (Om Namo Nārāyaṇāya)

Fun Fact: The ॐ symbol appears in yoga studios, meditation apps, and spiritual contexts worldwide - recognized across languages!

5. The र (Ra) Special Cases - Repha & Ra-kaar

र (Ra) is the Most Complex Letter in Devanagari!

The letter र (ra) behaves differently when combined with other consonants. It can appear:

1. Above the consonant (Repha - रेफ)
2. Below the consonant (Ra-kaar - र-कार)

Case 1: Repha (रेफ) - र Above the Consonant

Rule: When र् (ra with halant) comes BEFORE another consonant, it appears as a hook/diagonal line above that consonant!

Example: प्रिय (Priya) - Important Logic!

1
Letter breakdown: प् + र् + इ + य् + आ
2
                   ↓
3
                प्र + इ + या
4
                   ↓
5
                प्रिया (Priyā)

Critical Understanding:

When you see प्रि in प्रिय:

• The diagonal mark above प = र् (ra without vowel)
• The ि mark (before प) = इ vowel
• Question: Does ि apply to प or to र?

Answer: The vowel mark ि applies to र, NOT to प!

Breakdown:

• प् = प (consonant alone, no vowel)
• र् + ि = रि (ra + i = ri)
• Full: प् + रि + या = प्रिया (P + ri + yā = Priya)

Visual:

1
प्रिया = प्रि + या
2
         ↓   ↓
3
      [प् + रि] + या
4

5
Pronunciation: P + ri + yā (NOT pi + ra + yā!)

Tamil Comparison: பிரியா = ப் + ர் + இ + ய் + ஆ

In Tamil, we clearly see ர் + இ = ரி. Devanagari does the same, but र appears as a mark above!

More Examples with Repha:

Case 2: Ra-kaar (र-कार) - र Below/After the Consonant

Rule: When another consonant comes BEFORE र (not र् before consonant), र appears below or after that consonant!

Example: पूर्ण (Pūrṇa) - Complete/Full

1
Letter breakdown: पू + र् + ण
2
                       ↓
3
                    पूर्ण

Critical Understanding:

In पूर्ण, you see a diagonal mark above ण:

• This mark = र् that comes BEFORE ण
• Pronunciation: पू + र् + ण = Pūrṇa (poo + r + ṇa)

The mark above ण indicates र् sound comes BEFORE ण!

More Examples with र् Mark Above:

Tamil Comparison:

• கர்மா (karma) = க் + அ + ர் + ம் + ஆ
• தர்மம் (dharma) = த் + அ + ர் + ம் + அ + ம்

In Tamil, र् is clearly visible. In Devanagari, it becomes a mark above the following letter!

Summary - र (Ra) Two Positions:

Memory Trick:

• Repha (hook above) = र wants to be FIRST, jumps on top of next letter!
• र् mark above = र squeezes in BEFORE that letter!

6. Nuqta (़) - The Special Dot

What is Nuqta? (नुक़्ता என்றால் என்ன?)

The ़ (nuqta - नुक़्ता) is a dot placed below letters to create sounds borrowed from Persian/Arabic.

Purpose: Hindi doesn’t have some sounds that exist in Urdu/Arabic/Persian words. The nuqta dot modifies letters to create these sounds!

Nuqta-Modified Letters:

Most Common: ड़ and ढ़

लड़का (Boy) & लड़की (Girl):

1
लड़का = ल + ड़ + का
2
         ↓   ↓
3
       la + ṛa (flap r) + kā
4

5
लड़की = ल + ड़ + की
6
         ↓   ↓
7
       la + ṛi (flap r) + kī

Pronunciation:

• ड (ḍa) = Retroflex ‘d’ (hard, like Tamil ட)
• ड़ (ṛa) = Flap ‘r’ (tongue flaps once, like Tamil ற்!)

Tamil Connection:

Tamil speakers have a HUGE advantage!

• ட = Devanagari ड (retroflex)
• ற் = Devanagari ड़ (flap r)

We already distinguish these sounds naturally!

More Examples:

Note: In casual Hindi writing, many people skip the nuqta dot and write लडका instead of लड़का. But for correct pronunciation, the nuqta matters!

7. More Important Examples

संस्कृत (Sanskrit - संस्कृत):

1
Breakdown: सं + स् + कृ + त
2
           ↓    ↓    ↓   ↓
3
         saṃ + s + kṛ + ta = Saṃskṛta

Key Features:

• सं = स + anusvara (ं) = saṃ (nasal)
• स् = स with halant (no vowel)
• कृ = क + ऋ (vocalic ‘r’ - special vowel!)
• त = ta

ऋ (Vocalic R):

ऋ (ṛ) is a special vowel that sounds like “ri” or “ru” - unique to Sanskrit!

ऋषि (Sage/Rishi):

1
Breakdown: ऋ + षि
2
           ↓   ↓
3
         ṛ + ṣi = Ṛṣi

Features:

• ऋ = Vocalic ‘r’ (vowel, not consonant!)
• षि = ष + ि = ṣi (retroflex ‘sh’ + i)

Tamil Writing: ரிஷி (Riṣi) - We use regular ர் + இ

कुत्ता (Dog - Kuttā):

1
Breakdown: कु + त् + ता
2
               ↓
3
           कुत्ता

Key Feature:

• त्त = त् + त = tta (double ‘t’ - conjunct!)
• Pronounced like Tamil குத்தா (kuttā - sharp/poke)

More Double Consonant Examples:

Tamil Connection:

Tamil also has double consonants:

• குத்து (kuttu - stab) = கு + த் + து
• பிள்ளை (piḷḷai - child) = பி + ள் + ளை

Same concept - doubled consonants for emphasis/distinct pronunciation!

Tamil-Devanagari Sound Mapping

Tamil Consonants → Devanagari Letters

Tamil Vowels → Devanagari Vowels

Great News: Tamil and Devanagari vowels match almost PERFECTLY! 🎉

⚠️ Tamil Sounds Missing in Hindi

Only 2 major sounds are problematic:

Example:

• Tamil (தமிழ்) = तमिल (Tamil) - Uses ल (la) for ழ்
• Narpayan (நற்பயன்) = नर्पयन - Uses र (ra) for ற்

Good News: Hindi has retroflex ळ (ḷa) in Marathi loanwords, so you CAN write தமிழ் = तमिळ if you want authenticity!

4-Week Learning Plan

Master Devanagari in One Month!

Week 1: Master Vowels & Simple Consonants

Week 2: Remaining Consonants & Combinations

Week 3: Reading Practice

Week 4: Fluency & Advanced Practice

Daily 15-Minute Routine

Morning Practice (காலை பயிற்சி):

1. 5 minutes: Write all consonants (क to ह) - 33 letters
2. 5 minutes: Write 3 Tamil names in Devanagari
3. 5 minutes: Read Hindi text (sign, newspaper, app notification)

Tips for Success:

• ✅ Practice left-to-right - Same as Tamil (easy!)
• ✅ Use grid paper - Helps maintain शिरोरेखा (top line)
• ✅ Compare with Tamil - Find patterns (क = க், ट = ட்)
• ✅ Say sounds aloud - Connect visual + audio
• ✅ Read signs daily - Railway stations, shops (if you travel to North India)

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Read These Hindi Words

Common words (many from Bollywood!):

Challenge: Next time you watch a Hindi film, read the opening credits!

Exercise 2: Write Your Tamil Name

Follow these steps:

1. Break your name into sounds: Example: கார்த்திக் = க் + ஆ + ர் + த் + த் + இ + க்
2. Find Devanagari equivalents: क (ka), ा (ā matra), र् (ra + halant), ति (ti)
3. Combine: कार्तिक (Kārthik)

Your Turn: Write these Tamil names:

• முருகன் = _______________
• சிவா = _______________
• தீபா = _______________

Exercise 3: Common Tamil Phrases in Hindi

Useful phrases for travel:

Tamil-Hindi Cultural Context

Historical Links

Why Tamil speakers should learn Hindi:

1. National Language: Hindi is India’s official language (राजभाषा - Rājabhāṣā)
2. Bollywood: Understand films, songs, dialogues directly
3. Travel: Read signs in Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Varanasi, Jaipur
4. Government: Central government exams, documents often in Hindi
5. Jobs: Many positions require Hindi knowledge
6. Cultural Bridge: Connect with 600+ million Hindi speakers

Common Hindi Words in Tamil

You already know these Hindi words!

Practical Applications

Where to use Devanagari:

1. Railway Travel: Read station names, announcements, tickets
2. Government Forms: Many forms have Hindi option
3. Wedding Cards: Bilingual Tamil-Hindi cards popular
4. Bollywood: Read song lyrics, understand dialogues better
5. Business: North Indian business contacts
6. Tourism: Travel independently in North India
7. Education: Access Hindi textbooks, NCERT materials

Resources for Learning

Online Resources

Free Websites:

1. HindiPod101.com - Comprehensive Hindi lessons
2. Learn Hindi (apps) - Mobile learning
3. Duolingo Hindi - Gamified learning
4. YouTube: Learn Hindi with Anil Mahato - Excellent tutorials
5. DevanagariKeyboard.org - Type Devanagari online
6. BBC Hindi - Read news in Hindi
7. NCERT Books (Hindi) - Free government textbooks

Mobile Apps

Recommended Apps:

1. Google Hindi Input - Type in Devanagari
2. Drops: Learn Hindi - 5-minute daily lessons
3. HelloTalk - Practice with native Hindi speakers
4. Simply Learn Hindi - Phrasebook + pronunciation
5. Hindi Alphabet - Letter tracing for beginners
6. Memrise Hindi - Vocabulary building
7. YouTube Hindi channels - Immersive content

Books for Beginners

Recommended Books:

1. “Teach Yourself Hindi” by Rupert Snell - Classic textbook
2. “Complete Hindi” by Rupert Snell & Simon Weightman - Comprehensive
3. Hindi-English bilingual children’s books - Easy reading practice
4. NCERT Hindi Textbooks - Free PDFs available
5. “First Steps in Hindi” by Alka Tyagi - For absolute beginners

Common Mistakes & Tips

Common Mistakes Tamil Speakers Make

❌ Mistake 1: Confusing Similar Letters

• ✅ Fix: क (ka) vs ख (kha) - Count “legs”: क has 1 vertical, ख has 2
• Tip: त (ta) vs थ (tha) - थ has small curve on top

❌ Mistake 2: Forgetting Inherent ‘a’

• ✅ Fix: क = “ka” not “k” (unless halant: क्)
• Tip: Same as Tamil - க = “ka” not “k”

❌ Mistake 3: Writing ि (i matra) After Consonant

• ✅ Fix: कि is written “i + ka” but pronounced “ki”
• Tip: Only visual trick - sound comes after!

❌ Mistake 4: Mixing Dental & Retroflex

• ✅ Fix: त (dental - tongue on teeth) vs ट (retroflex - tongue curled)
• Tip: Tamil speakers already know this! த vs ட

❌ Mistake 5: Ignoring Aspiration

• ✅ Fix: क vs ख are DIFFERENT words! Practice with breath
• Tip: Hold hand in front - feel the air difference

❌ Mistake 6: Breaking शिरोरेखा (Top Line)

• ✅ Fix: Always connect the horizontal top line across word
• Tip: Write शिरोरेखा AFTER writing letters in a word

Tamil Speaker Advantages

What Makes Devanagari EASIER for Tamil Speakers:

✅ Same direction - Left-to-right (no adjustment needed!)
✅ Same script family - Both from Brahmi (logical similarities)
✅ Varga system - We already understand க-வர்க்கம், ச-வர்க்கம் concept!
✅ Retroflex mastery - ட், ண் = ट, ण (we’re experts at this!)
✅ Matra concept - உயிர்மெய் = same as Devanagari matra system
✅ Phonetic writing - Both write as pronounced
✅ Rich vowel system - 12 Tamil vowels ≈ 11 Devanagari vowels

Sounds Tamil Speakers Master Quickly:

• ट, ठ, ड, ढ, ण (retroflex) = ட், ண் - Perfect match! We’re naturals!
• म, न, ल, र, य, व = ம், ந், ல், ர், ய், வ் - Identical sounds
• All vowels - Perfect correlation with Tamil vowels

Conclusion - முடிவுரை

Your Devanagari Journey

Congratulations on starting your Devanagari/Hindi learning journey! 🎉

What You’ve Learned:

✅ Complete vowel system - 11 vowels with matras
✅ All 33 consonants - Organized in 5 vargas
✅ Matra system - How vowel signs work
✅ Tamil names in Devanagari - Write your name, family names
✅ Sound mapping - Tamil ↔ Devanagari correlations
✅ Cultural context - Why Hindi matters for Tamil speakers
✅ Resources - Apps, websites, typing tools

Next Steps

Continue Learning:

1. Week 1-2: Master all letters + matras
2. Week 3: Read Hindi signs, menus, station names
3. Week 4: Watch Bollywood with Hindi subtitles
4. Month 2: Start learning spoken Hindi

Advanced Goals:

• Speak Hindi fluently - Take conversation classes
• Read Hindi literature - Premchand stories, Hindi poetry
• Travel independently - Explore North India reading everything
• Professional use - Government exams, business communication

Share Your Progress!

Practice Makes Perfect:

• ✍️ Write your name in Devanagari daily for 30 days
• 📖 Read one Hindi sentence daily (news app, station sign, film subtitle)
• 🎬 Watch Bollywood films with Devanagari subtitles
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Teach family members - Best way to learn!
• 📱 Post your Devanagari writing on social media - Tag #TamilToHindi

Remember:

“सीखना जीवन भर की प्रक्रिया है” (Sīkhnā jīvan bhar kī prakriyā hai)
“Learning is a lifelong process”
Tamil: “கற்றல் வாழ்நாள் முழுவதும் தொடரும் செயல்”

Final Thoughts

Learning Devanagari opens the door to 600+ million Hindi speakers and the rich cultural heritage of North India. For Tamil speakers, it’s:

• Easier than you think (same script family!)
• Immediately useful (railway travel, Bollywood, government)
• Cultural bridge (connect across Indian states)

Don’t rush! Take 4 weeks minimum. Practice daily. With the varga system knowledge you already have from Tamil, you’re 50% there!

शुभकामनाएँ! (Śubhkāmnāyēṃ - Best wishes!)
வாழ்த்துக்கள்! (Vāzhttukkal - Congratulations!)

धन्यवाद! (Dhanyavād - Thank you!)
நன்றி! (Naṉṟi - Thanks!)